The years passed like the shifting winds, and by the time Rudra turned ten, he had grown into a disciplined fighter under Master Wu's teachings. He was resourceful, sharp, and brimming with potential. But despite his growth, Rudra felt an inexplicable void, as though a part of him was locked away, hidden from his reach. His soul yearned for something unknown, something vital.
Master Wu often sent Rudra on journeys to learn from the world itself. "The wind does not stay in one place," Wu had said. "To master it, you must follow its path." It was on one such journey that Rudra found himself venturing deep into the treacherous Windward Peaks. The jagged mountains, constantly buffeted by fierce gales, were said to hold an ancient treasure. Whispers spoke of a mighty dragon guarding a legendary weapon: the Zephyr Fans, the lost Fifth Golden Weapon of Spinjitzu.
Days of climbing and navigating the labyrinthine caves led Rudra to a massive cavern at the heart of the peaks. The air inside was heavy, charged with an unseen power. At the centre of the cavern, a pedestal rose from the ground, and atop it lay a pair of golden fans. Intricate patterns swirled across their surface, and they seemed almost alive, shimmering faintly in the dim light.
Rudra's heart raced. The Zephyr Fans. But as he stepped closer, the air grew thick, and a deep, rumbling growl echoed through the cavern. A powerful gust of wind swept over him, forcing him to his knees. From the shadows emerged a colossal Wind Dragon, its emerald scales gleaming like polished gemstones. Its golden eyes glared at him with an intensity that froze Rudra in place.
"Who dares disturb my sanctuary?" the dragon's voice boomed, resonating both aloud and within Rudra's mind. "If you seek the Zephyr Fans, you must prove yourself worthy. Show me your strength, child of the winds, or leave and never return."
Rudra straightened, determination flaring in his eyes. "I won't back down," he said firmly. "If I must earn the Zephyr Fans, then so be it."
The dragon roared, unleashing a gale-force wind that sent debris flying. Rudra braced himself, crossing his arms in front of his face as the wind howled around him. He leapt into action, using his agility to dodge a hail of sharp rocks hurled by the dragon's tail.
The dragon lunged, its massive claws swiping at Rudra. He rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding the attack, and countered with a burst of wind from his palms. The gust struck the dragon's face, but its scales deflected the force effortlessly.
"You must do better than that!" the dragon bellowed. It spread its wings and beat them powerfully, creating a whirlwind that pulled Rudra off his feet. He spun helplessly in the air before slamming into the cavern wall. Pain shot through his back, but he forced himself to stand.
"I've faced worse," Rudra muttered, wiping blood from the corner of his mouth. He centred himself, feeling the wind around him. The dragon charged again, its jaws snapping dangerously close. This time, Rudra used the wind to propel himself upward, landing on the dragon's back.
The dragon roared in anger, thrashing violently to shake him off. Rudra clung tightly, focusing his energy. He channelled the wind, creating a vortex around his hands. With a shout, he slammed his palms onto the dragon's back, the concentrated force of the wind rippling through its body.
The dragon staggered, its balance momentarily disrupted. It whipped its tail toward him, but Rudra jumped, flipping through the air and landing gracefully. The dragon's golden eyes narrowed as it circled him, evaluating his every move.
"You fight well," the dragon admitted, "but strength alone is not enough. Show me your heart, your reason for seeking the Zephyr Fans."
Rudra hesitated, lowering his guard. "I want to protect those who can't protect themselves. The Zephyr Fans can help me do that. I don't want power for myself—I want to use it to make a difference."
The dragon's gaze softened, and it lowered its massive head. "You have proven your resolve and your compassion. Very well. From this moment forward, I am yours to call upon. Together, we will master the winds."
Rudra approached cautiously, placing a hand on the dragon's snout. A surge of energy coursed through him, and the cavern filled with a radiant light. The dragon's massive form shimmered and shrank until it perched on Rudra's shoulder, its emerald eyes now filled with camaraderie.
The Zephyr Fans floated into Rudra's hands, their golden surface warm to the touch. The moment his fingers closed around them, an overwhelming wave of memories flooded his mind. He saw battles against demons, comrades lost, and a life of sacrifice and strength. He remembered a name: Sanemi Shinazugawa.
Tears streamed down Rudra's face as he relived his past life. The pain, the loss, the fierce determination—it all came rushing back. But with the memories came power, a deeper connection to the winds. Spinning the Zephyr Fans, he created a vortex of air that surrounded him and the dragon. They shared a silent understanding: their bond would shape the future of Ninjago.
Emerging from the cavern on the dragon's back, Rudra felt a renewed sense of purpose. The wind carried him toward a nearby village, but as he approached, he saw plumes of smoke rising into the sky. Screams echoed in the distance, and chaos unfolded below.
The village was under attack, homes engulfed in flames as raiders tore through the streets. In the midst of the destruction, Rudra spotted a young boy fighting valiantly against the invaders. The boy was about twelve, with dark eyes and an intense determination that reminded Rudra of himself.
The boy's movements were erratic but powerful, as dark smoke coiled around his arms and lashed out at the attackers. Rudra swooped down, landing with the dragon beside him. Together, they drove the raiders back with a combination of wind and smoke, forcing them to retreat.
As the dust settled, Rudra approached the boy. "You fought well. What's your name?"
The boy hesitated before answering, "Cinder. I'm... I just learned I'm the Elemental Master of Smoke. Ash was my relative, but he's gone now."
Rudra placed a reassuring hand on Cinder's shoulder. "You've got potential, Cinder. If you want, you can come with me. I'm training to protect Ninjago. You could be part of something bigger."
Cinder looked at him, wide-eyed, before nodding. "Yes. I want to join you."
Rudra smiled. Together, with the dragon perched on his shoulder and the Zephyr Fans in his hands, he and Cinder set off toward a new chapter of their journey, the winds of destiny guiding their path.